Oxaliplatin  

Brand name: Eloxatin®  

Generic name:Oxaliplatin  

Therapeutic Class:  alkylating agent 

 Manufacturer / Distributor: Sanofi- aventis 

Availability: Oxaliplatin is available by prescription only  

Indications:  Oxaliplatin is used, in combination with other anticancer medications such as fluorouracil and leucovorin, to treat the following cancers: 

• colon cancer that has spread (metastatic colon cancer) 
• rectal cancer that has spread (metastatic rectal cancer) 

Oxaliplatin can be used to treat other medical conditions; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.  

Dosage form: Oxaliplatin is given by infusion into a vein  

Dosage: Your oncologist will base on your health in general, other medications you are taking, the characteristic of the tumor (aggressive or not), and especially your body mass index (weight / height) to prescribe you an effective dosage. Usually, dosage varies greatly depending on these criteria and the response of your organism to the drug.  

Oxaliplatin comes as a solution (liquid) to be given by infusion into a vein. The injection is usually done in a hospital or a medical center that has sterilization equipment available for its preparation. The drug must be prepared and administered by physicians or nurses having experience in chemotherapy drugs. Although Oxaliplatin is usually given once every 2 weeks, your doctor may change the dose if he believes it will be beneficent. Regardless of the dosage recommended, it is important that you follow and complete the treatment in case there are no complications.    

Overdose: the fact that  Oxaliplatin is given in hospital by professionals, the risk of overdose is virtually low; however, accidental overdose can happen. An overdose of Oxaliplatin can cause serious health problems, which can lead to death in fragile patients. There is no specific treatment for Oxaliplatin overdose. The treatment is symptomatic; that is, your physician will reduce the dose and treat the symptoms that you are experiencing.  

Missing dose: it is necessary that you take  Oxaliplatin exactly as it is prescribed. If for some reasons you cannot be present at the hospital for the treatment, contact your oncologist before the date scheduled for the injection. Do not stay home because you developing adverse effects; most patient experience when being treated with Oxaliplatin.  

Contraindications : Oxaliplatin is contraindicated in the following cases:  

• severe kidney failure
•  severe liver failure 
•  allergy to Oxaliplatin or any of its ingredients 
•  allergy to medications containing platinum (Cisplatin for instance) 
•  pregnancy 
•  breastfeeding.   

Mechanism of action (MOA): Oxaliplatin selectively inhibits the synthesis of DNA and thus slows or stops the reproduction and growth of cancer cells. 

Interactions: It is important that you do not associate Oxaliplatin with other medications without previously consulting your doctor; Oxaliplatin may cause severe allergic reactions. Therefore, talk to your doctor before taking any prescription or non prescription medications such as vitamins, nutritional supplements and St. John wort. In addition, tell your doctor or pharmacist what medications you are taking.  Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin) may interact with Oxaliplatin; don’t ever take them without first talking to your doctor. 

Side effects: by attacking cancer cells, Oxaliplatin also affects normal (healthy) cells, which lead to, in most patients, development of adverse reactions. Common Oxaliplatin side effects include:  

• nausea and vomiting
• mouth blistering
• fatigue
• hair loss
• appetite loss
• weight gain or loss
• hiccups
• muscle, back, or joint pain
• dry skin and mouth
• redness or peeling of the skin on the hands and feet
• sweating, mostly at night
• stomach pain
• heartburn
• constipation
• Diarrhea.

If the side effects above become severe or persist for weeks, contact your oncologist. In addition, contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:  

• visual defects 
• anxiety and depression
• persistent tingling and numbness in hands and feet  
• muscle weakness that interferes with daily activities 
• yellowing of the eyes or skin 
• abdominal pain  
• bloody or dark stools  
• persistent diarrhea  
• swelling of feet or legs 
• dark or bloody urine 
• Symptoms of anemia and / or infection:  

a)    sore throat 

b)     cough without mucus that persist 

c)    pale skin 

d)    Fast or irregular heartbeat, etc.. 

References : 

1 - santecheznous.com,  

2 - nlm.nih.gov